It is the homestretch of the G1 Climax. There are two more
matches for the participants in the A Block and two more matches for the
participants in the B Block. After that the Finals will take place, which is
shaping up to be a match between two of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s established
top stars. More on that in a minute.
Here are some things to know about the finals of the G1
Climax, which will take place Sunday August 16 (for those in EST, that will be
roughly 5 AM that morning). The finals will be contested in the main event, and
will be between the winners of the A and B Blocks based on the participants
with the most points. It should be planned to come down to the wire, and it
stands to reason the winner of each block will be determined in the main event
of each individual block’s final show. So, A will be determined on August 14
and B on August 15…No break before the finals! Some excellent matches have
already been scheduled for the final show: KUSHIDA will defend the IWGP Junior
Heavyweight championship against King Ricochet, known in recent days for his
work as Prince Puma on Lucha Underground. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team
titles will be defended by the Young Bucks against reDRagon. While the teams
have been part of exciting 3 and 4 way matches, they have had a run of
fantastic matches between just the two of them. This should continue the
compelling series. Also, the second to last match on the show will pit the
competitors in each block with the second highest point totals against each
other. Last year, it was a first time match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and AJ
Styles, which led to a contest for the title soon after. This year’s runner up
to the main event should be no slouch either, so look for top tier wrestlers to
take those spots. Also, be on the look out for results that break up the tie
between several wrestlers in a given block.
Let’s look at a few realizations about this year’s G1
Climax, which changed up its scheduling format, I’ve come to at this point in
the tournament:
- It has been much easier to keep track of which competitors
are fighting in which block, and to recognize distinguishing features of each
block (A had more diverse group, variety of results; B had more evenhanded
group, really emphasizing Strong Style).
- While easier to keep track, it could also be more
difficult to maintain the flow of wrestlers in each block than last year, which
had less events and both A and B block matches on each event. I’ve found myself
watching A block action and then felt psyched to see it continue into the next
day, only to have to adjust my expectations to the B block. And vise versa.
-
The reaction to shows broadcast on NJPW World
can be influenced a lot depending on whether the shows are given full production
treatment or are shot only on 1 camera angle. It is also affected by the
presence of commentary or it being left out.
The beginning of the B block made less of an impression on me due to the
broadcasts lacking both a range of camera angles and commentary.
Instead of just looking at tomorrow’s (or in Japan, today’s)
show, let’s take apart the rundown for the A Block tournament matches on the
August 11 and August 14 shows.
8/11
Tanahashi (10) VS Makabe (8)
Styles (10) VS Fale (10)
Naito (10) VS Gallows
(2)
Shibata (8) VS Tenzan (2)
Ibushi (6) VS Yano (4)
8/14
Tanahashi (10) VS Styles (10)
Makabe (8) VS Ibushi (6)
Naito (10) VS Tenzan
(2)
Shibata (8) VS Gallows (2)
Fale (10) VS Yano (4)
The A Block got off to a tremendous start and now, the overall
quality of each show’s card is starting to suffer in terms of match quality and
increasing predictability. On each show, Tanahashi’s matches look like the
highlight. In the final A Block show, against AJ Styles, of course this is a
given. With Makabe, there is a chance of some good chemistry coming about
between these two who are very familiar with their craft. Tanhashi’s overall
finesse and athleticism, which really shined in his match against Shibata, will
go up against Makabe’s more brawling style.
Styles VS Fale is also of interest to me, but more as a
curios case of how a Bullet Club VS Bullet Club match will go down. So far they
happen with camaraderie expressed between the combatants before and after the
match. But here the stakes are much higher. There is always the possibility
that an altercation will lead to dissension within the ranks. Maybe here??
Otherwise, Fale’s work has been just ok throughout this year’s tournament.
For the most part, the rest of the card is filled out by
participants who cannot win the tournament point-wise. So I mostly see
one-sided matches that ought to showcase the work of talent on the rise. Ibushi
for instance should have no trouble defeating Yano or Makabe. Shibata ought to
defeat Tenzan (and will hopefully allow the aching veteran to leave un-maimed)
and Gallows without trouble. Their two wins would not make it possible for them
to win the tournament but ought to increase their status.
Then there is the curious case of Naito, the wrestler who
transformed right before the tournament into the nefarious El Ingobernable
persona. He is currently tied for 1st place with Fale, Styles, and Tanahasi. He
faces two opponents in his final run, Gallows and Tenzan, that practically he
should not have difficulty defeating. This would actually give him as much
likelihood to go to the finals as AJ or Tanahashi. It would seem that, unless
NJPW is suddenly putting a huge amount of stock in him, he has to lose one or
both of his final two matches. For the veteran Tenzan to beat the insufferable
Naito would surely get a great reaction from the audience. Perhaps building to
such a moment was part of the master plan in organizing the A Block from the
beginning. It seems like an unreliable moment to depend on though, considering
Tenzan’s age and the damage he has taken throughout the tournament. It could
make his win look very implausible.
There is always the possibility of some unexpected wrinkles.
Next time, a breakdown of the rest of the B Block matches.
Leave your questions, disagreements, and G1 predictions in
the comments below!
Twitter: @mondocurrymark
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